Judy Garland became one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable stars. Away from the stage and screen, however, she was also a devoted mother of three. The Wizard of Oz actress welcomed Liza Minnelli with director Vincente Minnelli in 1946. During her later marriage to producer Sid Luft, she had daughter Lorna Luft in 1952 and son Joey Luft in 1955.
According to People, growing up as the Judy Garland children meant experiencing an unusual Hollywood childhood. Famous actors regularly surrounded the family, and Garland introduced her kids to performing at young ages. Still, each sibling eventually found a different path. Liza became an entertainment legend, while Lorna built a successful stage career. Joey, meanwhile, preferred working behind the camera.
Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft Followed Their Mother Into Show Business
Liza entered Hollywood remarkably early. At age 3, she appeared in Garland’s 1949 film In the Good Old Summertime. She later performed with her mother on The Judy Garland Show and during concerts in London. Soon, Liza built an extraordinary career of her own.
At 19, she won a Tony Award for Flora the Red Menace. Her performance in Cabaret later earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also won an Emmy for Liza with a Z. In 1990, she received a Grammy Legend Award, adding another major honor to her impressive career.
Lorna also entered show business as a child. She appeared on The Judy Garland Show at 11 and later performed with Joey during their mother’s 1967 Broadway shows. As an adult, she built a successful career on stage. Her credits included Promises, Promises, Grease, and White Christmas. In addition, she appeared on television and became an author.
Her 1998 memoir, Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir, explored life inside her famous family. Through the years, Lorna has also shared memories of Garland’s humor and warmth.
Among Her Children, Joey Luft Chose A Quieter Path While Honoring Judy Garland
Joey took a different direction from his sisters. Although he appeared with his mother when he was young, he didn’t pursue a major performing career. Instead, he studied photography and sound before working behind the scenes on movie sets. Even so, his connection to Garland remained strong. When discussing his childhood, Joey has remembered her as much more than a Hollywood icon. To him, she was a caring mother who loved people and had a wonderful sense of humor.
In 2014, Joey brought those memories to the stage with the Judy Garland Concert with Joey Luft. The Pasadena Playhouse production gave him an opportunity to share another side of his mother’s story. Lorna has also honored Garland through books, performances, and interviews. Likewise, Liza carried the family’s entertainment legacy into a new generation. Although the Judy Garland children chose different careers, all three have helped preserve their mother’s memory. Decades after Garland’s death in 1969, her influence continues through her movies, music, and family.
